Next Mood Swing Six Seconds

Spaying of mares. Why would anyone consider these invasive and risky procedures? Let’s take a look at some of the literature.

The photo at the top of the first article, published 06/02/15 in Practical Horseman, says it all: Incompetence, or lack of knowledge of horses. I hate it when my horse acts like a horse, going from sweet and agreeable to grumpy and unpredictable. I can’t control her so I have to put her in cross-ties. What I can’t fix by breeding and supplements I’ll alter by surgery.

Another article, posted 03/12/14 in Equinews, indicates that spaying of mares is not common and points out the hazards of removing the ovaries, such as hemorrhage, infection, colic and damage to internal organs.

The author of the third article, dated 08/06/14 in PetMD, states that spaying is justified mostly for medical reasons and that she was not taught the procedures in vet school.

But what if you’re an organization with deep pockets and an agenda?

What if you believe that Americans have a right to eat meat? You might even think you’ve got a right to produce it. You found some land that would be nice for grazing, but it was set aside by Congress primarily for wild horses and burros.

You need to get those animals off the range. They’re consuming forage that could put weight on your cattle for low cost. The fees you pay help grow the government. It’s a win-win.

Helicopter roundups have bad optics and they don’t provide a lasting solution, so let’s build public support for sterilization. A contest involving spayed fillies might work. Given that many people already agree with contraception for horses (and themselves), this should be a piece of cake.